Network security - using two wireless WRT54G Routers

Question

I have lots of  ports on my router open for numerous family software applications that are all on one computer and I would like to isolate these risky activities from the rest of my network.
I recently read I could use two routers, plug one router into another,  assign each a different starting IP address (such as 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.1). Then attach my at-risk PCs--to the router that's directly connected to my broadband modem, and all  other computers to the second router.
Internet traffic to and from the unsafe PC area would then not reach my secure subnetwork at all.
I currently use a WRT54G V5...does buying a second one and using it as described make sense? It sounds like a rather inexpensive way to add security to my network.
I assume the second router gets connected from it's internet jack to one of the port jacks on the first router? Is there anything else that would need to be changed or set in either router to make this work?
Can I please ask if u respond to try and keep your response at a level that a non expert could understand.....I would really appreciate it!
Thanks for everyones advice!

Answer 1

Thanks for the quick response....it is disappointing to see that I would lose the ability to share files......I  assume this is also true for printers as well??? Do you have another solution that you think would do a better job?
Anyway I did get a rather detailed response on how to make it work and it's in a fashion that even I could understand.
I thought I would share it in case anyone else had a interest to isolate a computer.
Thanks
With regards to your concern, the setup that you suggested does address your concern. With this setup, we are somehow creating two networks on your location. In this manner, the computer that needs the set of ports will not be part of the network of the second router thus, it will not be able to affect the other computers.
With this type of setup, we will just have to leave the current settings of the WRT54G v5 (as long as its working properly this time). All we have to configure is the second router wherein we will have to change its LAN IP Address and also, configure its wireless settings in order for the said router to provide wired and wireless connection to all computers connecting to it. Please allow me to give you the steps.
Once we have the second router available, please connect one of the computers straight to the second router using one of the four ports (Ethernet port). With the configuration, only the second router and the computer will be connected with each other.
Before setting up the second router, I suggest that we do a hard reset on the router to make sure that it is on default settings and that we have a stable connection during the setup.
Here’s how to do a reset:
1. Locate the reset button of the router at the back panel.
2. Hold the reset button for 30 seconds using a pen or a paper clip.
3. Release the reset button.
Configuring the Second Router:
1. Go to your desktop and double click on Internet Explorer (Located on the Start Menu in Windows XP).
2. When "Internet Explorer" opens type 192.168.1.1 into the "Address" bar and click on Go.
3. The "Enter Network Password" window will appear.
4. Skip user name and type admin (admin is the default password) as the password, and click OK.
5. Go to Wireless Tab.
6. Change SSID (e.g. Vic or your name or last name).
7. Change channel to 11.
8. Hit save Settings.
9. Click on the sub tab Wireless Security.
10. Set the Security Mode to WEP.
Using pass phrase Encryption Level 40/64bit (10 hex digits):
1. Type a pass phrase.
2. Click Generate.
3. Copy key1 on a piece of paper (10hex character).
4. Hit Save Settings.
For using manual key entry Encryption Level 40/64bit (10 hex digits)
1. Under Key 1 type a 10 digit character from A-F and 0-9 (e.g.: A0B3F58C9E, 0123456789, ABCDEFABCD).
2. Hit Save Settings.
3. Click on the Setup Tab.
4. Change the Local IP Address to "192.168.2.1".
5. Click “Save Settings”.
Finishing the Connection:
1. Shut down all computers.
2. Unplug the power from the back of both routers.
3. Unplug the power from the modem.
4. Wait for 30 second.
5. Connect the WRT54G v5 router (using its Internet Port) to the Cable Modem.
6. Connect the WRT54G v5 (using one of the four Ethernet ports) to the second router (using its Internet/WAN port).
7. Power up the modem.
8. Wait for the lights to stop blinking.
9. Power up the routers.
10. Start up your computer.